You know when an outfit is good but could be better, and you can’t put your finger on how to upgrade it? Trust me, you’re not alone. It can be easy to fall into an outfit rut, even with the plethora of style inspiration being thrown our way each day. Some would even argue that too much inspiration is constantly thrown our way, making it all the more confusing and overwhelming to figure out what to actually wear. One solution is to take a simple outfit formula and slightly tweak it, resulting in an elevated, wearable outfit.

As it turns out, fall is a great time to employ a few new outfit-elevating tricks, as we can finally start adding some layers back into our outfits, which means more to work with. I found eight specific outfit-elevating tweaks to put to use starting now. And yes, these subtle tweaks will result in chicer fall style as a whole. So if that’s what you’re after (and who isn’t, TBH?), you’ve come to the right place. Scroll on to find out how to instantly elevate your fall outfits, and shop the key pieces for each tweak.

Something Sporty + Something Elegant

Many great outfits include contrasting pieces that add an element of surprise. For example, a sporty windbreaker paired with an elegant slip skirt is a highly successful combination.

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fashion influencer wearing a green windbreaker, white T-shirt, and lace-trim black knee skirt with a The Row Agnes bag

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Add a Fancy Scarf

FYI: Fashion people are into scarves again, and a printed one (this season, it’s all about jacquard) adds so much interest to even the most plain outfits. Case in point below.

fashion influencer wearing a black trench, jeans, and paisley scarf

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Swap Plain Jackets for Printed Ones

A basic solid-colored jacket is always a safe bet, but a chic printed jacket is much cooler and more forward. The current favorites are brocade and animal prints.

fashion influencer wearing a leopard-print jacket and black jeans

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Pair One Trendy Accessory With Your Basics

Oftentimes, all an outfit needs is the addition of a trendy accessory. You’ll look completely forward for the season in an instant, as you can see via our editor Anna in the photo below. The top fall accessory trend to do so with is a cummerbund, layered effortlessly over whatever you’re wearing.

fashion editor wearing a T-shirt with white pants and shoes and pink Zara cummerbund belt

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A Long-Sleeve White Tee Is Always Effective

When you don’t know what to wear, a long-sleeve white tee is guaranteed to make your outfit cooler, and it goes with everything. It’s also the perfect thing for mild fall days—no jacket required.